A Guide to the Accreditation Process is a helpful reference as you plan to make changes to your veterinary facility in Ontario. The guide explains the accreditation process, the need for facilities to demonstrate compliance with standards, the role of the facility director, and the Accreditation Committee’s authority.
Renewing the Certificate of Accreditation for a veterinary facility
The facility director will receive a renewal notification e-mail three months before the expiry date of the Certificate of Accreditation. The facility director is responsible for submitting the “Renewal of Certificate of Accreditation” form within 30 days of receipt of the renewal notice by logging into the Professional Practice Portal.
Once the application form has been submitted by the facility director, an Accreditation Inspector will contact the facility director directly to schedule the renewal inspection. The facility director must be onsite and participate as needed during the inspection process. Once the date of the inspection has been confirmed, the facility director will receive an email confirmation from the inspector.
Relocation of a veterinary facility
The facility director is responsible for submitting the Change of Information for Accredited Facility – Relocation form by logging into the Professional Practice Portal. The facility director will need to contact the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, Radiation Protection Service prior to the relocation of the X-ray source.
Contact Information for Radiation Protection Service: 1-888-999-3921 or radiationprotection@ontario.ca. An Accreditation Inspector will contact the facility director directly to schedule the inspection. The facility director must be onsite and participate as needed during the inspection process. Once the date of the inspection has been confirmed, the facility director will receive an email confirmation from the inspector.
Purchasing an existing veterinary facility
The new facility director is responsible for submitting the Change of Information for Accreditation Facility – Purchase form by logging into the Professional Practice Portal. The facility director will need to contact the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, Radiation Protection Service because the X-ray source ownership has changed. Contact Information for Radiation Protection Service: 1-888-999-3921 or radiationprotection@ontario.ca.
Update species and/or additional scope of practice
If the facility director needs to change the species and/or the additional scope of practice Services for the practice, the facility director will need to submit the Change of Information for Accredited Practice – Update Species and/or Scope of Practice form by logging into the Professional Practice Portal. The form will undergo review to determine if an inspection is necessary. Should an inspection be deemed necessary a member of the Accreditation team will contact the facility director.
Change of facility director at a veterinary facility
All accredited veterinary facilities are under the oversight of a licensed veterinarian who is the facility director. Facility directors are responsible for ensuring that veterinary facilities are operating in accordance with Accreditation Standards for Veterinary Facilities in Ontario. A veterinary facility Certificate of Accreditation will expire if there is no facility director.
The College must be notified immediately if there is a facility director change by submitting the Change of Information for Accredited Practice – Change in Facility Director form by logging into the Professional Practice Portal. An inspection is not required for a facility directorship change.
Changing the veterinary facility name
The facility director is responsible for submitting the Change of Information for Accredited Practice – Practice Name Change form by logging into the Professional Practice Portal. By submitting the change, you are confirming the previous name has ceased to exist to prevent confusion to the public. This includes ensuring advertising, marketing materials, social media, signage, receipts, medical records, consent forms, stationary, etc. reflect the new name. There is no fee for the submission of a practice name change and an inspection is not required.
Naming a veterinary facility
Facility owners can now select a name of their choosing for their veterinary facility, providing it fits with guidance in the Professional Practice Standard – Advertising.
The facility name will need to comply with the following rules:
1. It must be factual, accurate and verifiable.
2. It must not,
- Be false, misleading, or deceptive by the inclusion or omission of words,
- Contain any comparative or superlative words, or
- Contain any endorsement or promotion of drugs or third-party service providers.
3. It must not reasonably be regarded by members as likely to demean the integrity or dignity of the profession or to bring the profession into disrepute.
4. It shall not contain a term, title or designation which indicates specialization in veterinary medicine or represents to the public that the member is a specialist or is specially qualified in a branch of veterinary medicine, unless the member is qualified in that specialization.
It is the owner’s responsibility to do some research when naming their veterinary facility. Additional helpful suggestions include:
- Check to see if there are existing veterinary facilities with the similar or same name.
- If necessary, seek legal counsel to ensure the name selected does not infringe upon existing copyright or trademark.
- Prepare an alternative in case your first choice poses a concern.
For additional information: Advertising
